comments of exp. plan

Hi netter,
I am planning a small experiment Re: immuno-suppression against
experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU)
The experiment is based on the following facts:
1. I have induced the immuno suppression against rat EAU by giving them
retinal antigen intranasally BEFORE the immunisation with same retinal
antigen.
2. The protocol of this intranasal suppression/tolerance is to give rats
retinal antigen intranasally daily for 2 weeks, leave the rats for a
week without any treatment to let the antigen being processed. If you
then challenge the rats, you get a suppressed the EAU.
3. I have found out that if the retinal antigens are given AFTER the
immunisation, it failed to protect the animals.
4. Cyclosporin A can induce a delayed onset of EAU, if CsA is given from
day7 to day 15 after immunisation. The effect of CsA lasts for about a
week.
What I want to know is, "How can I apply this self antigen
immuno-suppression/tolerance in a manner similar to clinical cases?" In another
word, does it have any significance to those subjects who are already sensitised
beforehand?
Here is the small experiment I want to do. But some how I get puzzled about the
timing of CsA and retinal antigen administration.
Any comments or advice?
It is really just a matter of a race between CsA and retinal antigen. The
retinal antigen challenge is that "GO" signal!
Has anyone done the similar work and would like to share
experience and opinions?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Legend
Challenge with retinal antigen !
RE intranasal tolerisation **
CsA administration ^^
Day 0 Day 7 Day 14 Day 21 ...
----------|---------------|----------------|---------------|------------------
GROUP
A ! *********************************
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
B ! *************************************************
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
C ! *********************************
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
D ! **************************************************
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
E ! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
F ! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
G !
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Cheers!
Y-F Cheng,MB ChB
Dept. of Ophthalmology
Univ. Aberdeen
<opt018 at aberdeen.ac.uk>